Did Humayun Kabir Select a Retired Cop as His New Party's Candidate for Ballygunge?
Synopsis
In a surprising political move, Humayun Kabir has appointed retired police officer Abul Hasan as the candidate for Ballygunge Assembly constituency, following a controversial withdrawal of Nisha Chatterjee. With aims to unify minority voices, Kabir's Janata Unnayan Party is gearing up for the upcoming elections. What does this mean for West Bengal politics?
Key Takeaways
Humayun Kabir's new party seeks to promote minority unity.
Abul Hasan, a retired police officer, is the new candidate.
Nisha Chatterjee's withdrawal raises questions about representation.
Kabir aims for alliances with various political factions.
The party logo options include a 'table' and 'twin rose.'
Kolkata, Dec 24 (NationPress) Suspended Trinamool Congress legislator from Bharatpur Assembly Constituency in the minority-centric Murshidabad district of West Bengal, Humayun Kabir, revealed on Wednesday that former West Bengal Police officer, Abul Hasan, will represent his new party as the candidate for Ballygunge Assembly constituency in South Kolkata.
Interestingly, during the formal launch of his new political entity named Janata Unnayan Party on December 22, Kabir had initially announced Nisha Chatterjee as the Ballygunge candidate.
However, the very next day, he retracted her candidacy after controversy arose over her social media posts featuring photos in revealing attire. On Tuesday, Kabir reiterated his commitment to field a candidate from the minority community for Ballygunge.
In line with his promise, he named Abul Hasan as the candidate. Hasan, Kabir's maternal uncle, served as a junior police officer in West Bengal during the previous Left Front administration and is currently enjoying retirement.
For her part, Nisha Chatterjee expressed that she had never sought candidacy from Kabir. “He personally invited me and declared me as the Ballygunge candidate. Now, he has unilaterally rescinded my nomination on dubious grounds. I feel marginalized due to my Hindu identity. No one should dictate a woman's choices and freedom,” she stated.
During the party formation announcement on December 22, Kabir disclosed plans to contest in two constituencies within Murshidabad district, specifically Beldanga and Rejinagar, for the 2026 elections.
“We will determine the total number of constituencies in West Bengal where our party will present candidates in the upcoming elections. Again, I state that we are receptive to alliances with all anti-Trinamool Congress and anti-BJP factions in the state. My objective is to foster broader minority unity,” Kabir stated on Monday.
He mentioned that his preferred choice for the party logo is a “table”.
“If that is unavailable, my second preference is a ‘twin rose’. Should I not get either, I will consider my third option. Our party flag will sport three colors: yellow, green, and white,” Kabir concluded.
Point of View
The developments surrounding Humayun Kabir's new party and candidate selection highlight the ongoing dynamics in West Bengal politics. Kabir's emphasis on minority representation could reshape electoral strategies in the region, reflecting a broader trend towards identity politics in India.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Humayun Kabir?
Humayun Kabir is a suspended Trinamool Congress legislator from the Bharatpur Assembly Constituency in West Bengal.
Who was announced as the candidate for Ballygunge?
Abul Hasan, a retired police officer, was announced as the candidate for Ballygunge.
Why was Nisha Chatterjee's candidacy withdrawn?
Nisha Chatterjee's candidacy was withdrawn due to controversy surrounding her social media posts.
What is the name of Humayun Kabir's new political party?
The name of his new political party is Janata Unnayan Party.
What are Kabir's future plans for the elections?
Kabir plans to contest from two constituencies in Murshidabad district in the 2026 elections and aims to form alliances with anti-Trinamool Congress and anti-BJP forces.
